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Discerning The Devil's Playbook (Part 2): The Four Plays From Nazi Germany Currently At Play In America

October 6, 2024

We are called to be wise as serpents so that we don’t fall for the wiles of the Serpent.

Matthew 10:16

Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves. Therefore be wise as serpents and harmless as doves.

People are sheeple who uncritically accept the lies of Babel when not shepherded by the Bible.

Matthew 12:25

But Jesus knew their thoughts, and said to them: “Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation, and every city or house divided against itself will not stand.”

Tyrants rise through the vein of lies.

To see or Nazi? That is the question.
To see is to draw a line in the sand; to not see is to put your head in the sand.

Proverbs 29:12

If a ruler pays attention to lies, all his servants become wicked.

John 10:10

The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy.

A civilization that destroys its youth will eventually destroy itself.

John 10:10-11

I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly. I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives His life for the sheep.

The Spirit of truth forewarns us in order to forearm us.

John 16:13

However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come.

As the enemy seeks to contradict the truth, the church must never cease to constitute the truth.

As the enemy deceives through controlling the news, the church cannot be deceived when it is controlled by the Good News.

As the enemy brings hellish conflict to groups, the church must continue to bring heaven’s conscience to groups.

As the enemy desires to convert the youth to be woke, the church must remain on fire to convert the youth to be awake.

Discussion Questions

  1. What does it mean to be “wise as serpents and harmless as doves” (Matthew 10:16) in today’s cultural context? How can we discern the “wolves” in our midst, particularly those who may be disguised as leaders or shepherds?
  2. What are some practical steps we can take to remain shepherded by the Bible in a world filled with lies? (Read 2 Timothy 2:15)
  3. How does understanding the historical context of Nazi Germany help us recognize similar patterns in our society? How can we balance the call to be discerning without becoming cynical or fearful?
  4. Using John 10:1-30, discuss the differences between a hireling (a hired hand) and a shepherd (a higher heart). How can each of us be better shepherds after our Lord’s heart?
  5. Follow Up Questions:Play #3 Conflict to Groups:In Matthew 12:25, Jesus said, “Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation, and every city or house divided against itself will not stand.” How does this statement reveal the grave consequences of division within a soul or society? And how did Hitler create and capitalize on division in Nazi Germany?
  6. Follow-Up: How can the church effectively bring heaven’s conscience to groups and promote reconciliation amidst the enemy’s efforts to bring hellish conflict to groups (see 2 Corinthians 5:18-20)?
  7. Play #4 Convert the Youth:How does Daniel 1:4 (“To whom they might teach the language and literature of the Chaldeans”) demonstrate the enemy’s strategy to indoctrinate and reshape the youth according to secular and godless values? How did Hitler brainwash the youth of Germany and what consequence did this have in the long run?
  8. Follow-Up: How can families and churches effectively equip our youth with a solid biblical foundation (see Proverbs 22:6; Deuteronomy 6:4-9)? And why should we view the season of youthfulness as a battleground as opposed to a playground (see Psalm 127:1-5)?